ANOTHER Jailed African American In Florida Is Told ‘Stand Your Ground’ Doesn’t Apply To Him

[MrScorpio]

Almost unbelievably, another story is breaking on a national level about an African American in the state of Florida who is the victim of the racist “Stand Your Ground” laws. Just like Marissa Alexander, Michael Giles stood his ground against an unprovoked attacker, and today this military veteran is behind bars, sentenced to 25 years in prison!

Michael Giles’ mother writes the following, in his petition, which you are all encouraged to sign…

Three years ago my son Michael was attacked outside of a club in Tallahassee, FL. His attacker admitted in open court that he attacked Michael with no provocation.

Michael’s attacker admitted he was angry that someone had interrupted his dance, and wanted to hurt the next person he saw. That next person standing to the side, not partaking in the violence, was Michael. His attacker was not fighting alone, state witnesses testified that there were between 30-40 people involved in the brawl. The state’s own witnesses also testified that the aggressor instigated several other fights that night, and was acting erratically and violently. His attacker’s own friend testified she was worried the aggressor would kill or seriously injure someone. In comparison, state witnesses testified that Michael, was calmly standing to the side, and did nothing to provoke the attack.

My husband and I are proud military veterans, with a combined 40 years of service, and we were proud when our son also chose to serve his country. Michael completed a tour in Iraq and Kuwait and was looking forward to furthering his career in the military, but now all of that has changed. We believe that we have raised a good man. He had no prior criminal offenses, no history of violence, and was a outstanding father and Airman. So we do not understand how the state of Florida could sentence him to a mandatory 25 years for defending himself.

http://politicalblindspot.com/another-jailed-african-american-in-florida-is-told-stand-your-ground-doesnt-apply-to-him/

[ManiacJoe]

1. Got any links to actual background stories?

It is nice that his mother is pleading his case, but....

[Tigress DEM]

2. DU THE PETITION --- DEMAND that the Florida Clemency Board DOES ITS JOB

GET THIS INNOCENT MAN OUT OF JAIL!!


Get the word out!
Sign the petition, and let Governor Rick Scott of Florida know that Michael Giles MUST be set free.
Michael was an upstanding Airman, and dedicated father, who believed he was in the right to defend himself.

Even NON stand your gun laws should have produced a self defense case.

[Bigmack]

3. YES!!!!!!!!! nt

Just signed the petition and the old man will too. Ms Bigmack

[gopiscrap]

4. Jesus Christ, that is one fucked up state.

[FourScore]

5. this is unbelievable!!! I am so angry about this!!!!!! n/t

[FourScore]

6. Signed! n/t

[kelliekat44]

7. If this is all true, the young man should be #1 on the Presidential pardon list. nt

[Scuba]

8. Maybe they should rename it "Stand Your Ground, But Only if You're White"?

[hack89]

9. He didn't use SYG as a defense

what screwed him was Florida's minimum sentencing laws - even the judge says the sentence is too harsh.

[hack89]

10. He shot THREE men. Not one

Friday, February 6 at approximately 2:03 a.m. the Tallahassee Police Department responded to 2122 West Pensacola Street, Club Episodes, in reference to a shooting incident.

Upon arrival officers learned that an argument occurred between two groups of people inside the club and security personnel made everyone involved leave the business. The argument continued outside in the parking lot and escalated into a physical confrontation.

One male, Michael Giles, began shooting a handgun. Three adult males received non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect fled but was located by police officers in a nearby parking lot at 2101 West Pensacola Street.

An investigator from the Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) responded and at the conclusion of the investigation, Giles was arrested and transported to the Leon County Jail. The three victims of the gunshot wounds were transported to a local hospital.

http://www.wctv.tv/home/headlines/83712532.html

[DirkGently]

13. He was acquitted of the other two shootings, btw

Police initially reported that Giles fired three shots and hit three people outside Club Episodes on West Pensacola Street in Tallahassee. But only one bullet was found matching his gun and Giles was acquitted on the other two charges.

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/guns/michael-giles-airman-denied-stand-your-ground-defense-fla-nightclub-shooting-now#

[Lancero]

14. Intresting...

The kind of things you dig up when you look for the facts, instead of letting yourself run on emotion.

[Cali_Democrat]

15. Wait, so now you're not taking the shooter's side in this case? Yet you defend people like Zimmy?

Geee, I wonder why that is.

Could it be because.....

[hack89]

16. I always said Zimmerman was guilty

I just took the time to understand the law. For some reason that upset people.

[Cali_Democrat]

17. Oh sorry

I guess I have you confused with someone else.

[DirkGently]

11. Sounds like more of a mandatory minimum sentencing problem

SYG is terrible, but given that it's so terrible, applying it to more cases is not likely the solution.

However, he was convicted on the single count and sentenced to 25 years in prison, the mandatory sentence, even though the judge stated that she found the sentence excessive and police had reccomended only a sentence of probation.

Giles had no criminal record or history of violent incidents.

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/guns/michael-giles-airman-denied-stand-your-ground-defense-fla-nightclub-shooting-now#

Marissa Alexander's long sentence turned on the same mandatory minimum sentencing problem.

(change.org petition signed)